Rail fastening



WM, fi. EBUYEZE RAIL FASTER! ING Filed July 24, 3.935

Patented Aug. 1, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT QFFEQE 15 Claims.

This invention has particular reference to improved means for holdingrailroad rails in proper place and the structures herein described maybe deemed improvements on the structure described in my copendingapplication Ser. No. 758,569 issued Dec. 20, 1938, as Patent No.2,140,891.

The main objects of the invention herein described are to provide railfastening structures of the type disclosed in my said copending applica-.tion, but of even greater commercial practicability due to changes andmodifications of certain details of the structure disclosed in my saidcopending application.

In general, it may be said that the objects of i the invention are toprovide a simple yet effective rail fastening which will be strong anddurable and which will be adapted to be employed Without modifyingsubstantially conventional rail laying practices, and to provide anarrangement which will avoid certain damaging effects on ties such asare incident to most prior forms of rail fastenings.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be understood byreference to the following specification and accompanying drawings,wherein there are illustrated several embodiments of rail fasteningsaccording to the present invention.

In the drawings Fig. 1 is a plan;

Fig. 2 is a section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a perspective of a clip structure employed in the form offastening illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2;

Figs. 4, 5 and 6 are side elevations illustrating other forms of therail fastening;

Fig, '7 is a section on the line l--'l of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a side elevation showing still another form of rail fasteningin the process of being assembled;

Fig. 9 is a side elevation, partly in section, corresponding to Fig. 8but showing the structure fully assembled;

Fig. 10 is a section on the line I5llll of Fig. 9; and

Figs. 11 and 12 are a side elevation and plan view respectively ofanother form of the fastenmg.

Referring now to the drawings, the railfastening illustrated in Figs. 1to 3 inclusive comprises a tie plate I!) provided with upstanding railabutting shoulders H and I2 respectively on opposite sides of the railseat portion 13 of the tie plate.

The opposite end portions 14 and I5 respectively of the plate are formedwith their upper surfaces it and ll both arranged at substantially thesame angle to the horizontal and the shoulders I l and It also hear likerelationship to the horizontal. The top surfaces of the respective endsare disposed, for example, at a downward and outward inclination ofabout 5 degrees to the horizontal planes passing through therespectively adjacent side edges of the rail seat.

The rail seat 13 is preferably, but not necessarily, inclined upwardlyand outwardly. The outer end portion I5 is also preferably made longerthan the inner end portion. Said inclination of the rail seat and thegreater length of the outer end portions cooperate to overcome ordinaryoutward overturning tendency of the rail under load. It should also beobserved that because of the increased thickness of the rail seatportion of the plate at its outer edge, owing to the inclination of therail seat and the maintenance of both end top surfaces in substanwhichmost frequently attacks the outer end por- 4 tion of the plates.

A rail 3 having its base flange seated on the rail seat it between theshoulders M and 12 is adapted to be held in operative position on thetie plate by means of clips such as indicated at it secured to the tieplate on opposite sides of the rail. In Figs. 1 and 2, a clip isillustrated as applied to the tie plate at only one side of the rail andthe clip is omitted on the other side to more clearly illustrate thearrangement. However, it will be understood that clips such as it arepreferably employed on both sides of the rail. It should also beunderstood that if desired, any other suitable means may be provided onone side of the rail for holding the latter in operative position on thetie plate, and a clip arrangement such as It provided only on the otherside. Also, more than one clip may, in some instances,

'be employed on either or both sides of the rail.

Because of the desired similar relationship between the rail seat andboth end portions and the respective shoulders, it will be evident thatthe same clip structure may be employed on both ends of the plate. Thisfeature is an advantage, first, in that it simplifies manufacture, inthat only one set of rolls or equipment is required to produce the clipsfor both ends, as distinguished from the usual requirement of separatesets of equipment for producing clips or the like for each end.Secondly, the feature is an advantage in that installation isfacilitated by elimination of the necessity for careful selection ofclips according to location on the plate.

The clips herein contemplated comprise a body portion 20 having a lip 2!extending laterally from the inner end of the body portion. The

bottom surface of the body portion of the clip is shaped tosubstantially conform to the top surfaces I6 and H and the adjacentshoulders II and I2 of the plate ends so that the clip is adapted to beseated on said plate ends. When properly seated as indicated in Fig. 2,the lip portion 2| projects into overlying relation to the adjacentmarginal portion of the rail base flange. As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, thelip 2| of the clip is offset upwardly relative to the surface portion ofthe clip which rests on the top of the tie plate shoulder so that aspace such as indicated at 22 is provided between the rail base flangeand the lip of the clip. It being understood that the clip is securelyanchored to the plate by means which will presently be described, itwill be observed that the described arrangement permits the rail to moveupwardly to a limited extent, thereby permitting free, normal wavemotion of the rail which is incident to the movement of rolling stockover the rails. If desired, the lip 2| may obviously be lowered so as todirectly engage the rail base flange to prevent, or at least resist,said normal wave motion of the rail.

In the arrangement shown in Figs. 1 to 3, the clip is attached to thetie plate by means of a depending lug 23 which extends transversely ofthe clip and preferably across the entire width 1 of the clip. Thedepending lug isarranged at an angle to the vertical and in thisinstance, extends downwardly and inwardly toward the rail base. The tieplate is provided with a corresponding slot or opening 24 also arrangedat an angle to receive the lug 23 of the clip. It will be evident thatthe clip will be held against vertical separation from the tie plate byreason of the engagement of the inclined or under-cut face or wall ofthe opening 24.

Under normal circumstances, the only forces which tend to raise the clipare those applied by the rail base flange to the lip portion 2!, so thatthe normal tendency is to rock the clip upwardly at its inner end aboutits outer end as a fulcrum. It will be apparent that such upwardmovement of the clip would require the latter to move laterallyoutwardly to permit the inclined lug 23 to rise upwardly along theinclined inner face of the opening 24. To prevent such lateral outwardmovement of the clip, the body of the clip is provided with an opening25 extending therethrough and the plate is provided with an opening 21adapted to at least partially register with the clip opening 25 for thereception of a spike or other fastening means indicated at 28. The spike2B illustratedin this instance may be considered a conventional cuttrack spike which penetrates a tie on which the tie plate is seated tothe extent of about four to six inches.

In this instance, the opening 25 in the clip is arranged to be axiallyvertical when the clip is in its operative position on the tie plate.Also, the opening 25 is so located that it is at least partially withinthe area of the depending lug 23, so that a continuation of the opening25 through the lug portion forms a recess, indicated at 26, forreceiving a portion of the spike. The opening 21 in the tie plate ispreferably of the same dimension from side to side as the width of thespike or fastening 28, and, as illustrated, it may be punched at thesame angle as the opening 24. The dimension of the opening 27 lengthwiseof the plate is such that when the spike is driven into place, asillustrated in Fig. 2, it will engage the edge portion of the tie plateat the lower end of the inclined outer wall 21 of the said opening 21.

The openings 24 and 21 in the tie plate being in communication with eachother, as clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 2, form a T-shaped opening. Thetop wall 24 of the T-shaped opening is disposed at an angle to thevertical and, in this instance, is inclined downwardly and inwardly ofthe plate and the outer walls 24 and 2'! of the openings 24 and 2!respectively are disposed substantially parallel to said top wall. Theopposite side walls of the openings are substantially verticallydisposed. Hence it will be understood that the T- shaped openingscomprising the open portions 24 and 21 may be punched in a singleoperation. Economy of production is thereby attained.

Lateral outward movement of the clip is re-. sisted by engagement of thespike with the outer wall portion 21 of the tie plate and by theanchorage of the spike in the tie, supplemented by engagement of theportions of the depending lug on opposite sides of the spike with thecorresponding rear or outer wall portions 24 of the opening 24.

It will be observed that the spike and lug, being arranged at divergingangles, form a downwardly expanding structure on the bottom of the clipand that such downwardly expanding structure is. received by theT-shaped opening in the plate so that the clip is effectivelyinterlocked with the tie plate against vertical separation. Suchinterlocking is effective as long as the spike remains inserted in theopenings in the plate and clip. Hence, the spike or similar fasteningmeans must be entirely withdrawn before the effectiveness of theanchorage of the clip on the tie plate is impaired.

It may be said that the clip is effective to maintain the rail in place,first, by reason of the fact that upward rocking of the inner end of theclip about its outer end as a fulcrum is effectively resisted byengagement of the inner face of the lug with the adjacent face of theopening in the tie plate, the outer end of the clip being effectivelyheld down by the spike, and that the clip is further effective for itssaid purpose by reason of the downwardly expanding dovetail-likeinterlocking connection between the clip and the plate.

In the described structure, the tie plate is, in general respects, oneof conventional size and weight, it being noted that the shoulders I land I2 are not specially formed to provide anchorage or for otherpurposes, as in many prior forms of rail fastenings.

In the arrangement shown in Fig. 4, the clip l9 has its lip portion 2|modified to engage the marginal portion of the rail base flange tothereby resist any vertical movement of the rail relative to the tieplate Ill. The clip is provided with a depending inclined lug 23 but inthis instance, the lug is arranged at a downwardly and outwardlyinclined angle to the vertical, as distinguished from a downwardly andinwardly inclined angle, as. in the form shown in Fig. 2. The spike 28in this instance is also disposed inwardly of the lug 23 instead ofoutwardly. Otherwise, the relative engagement of the parts aresubstantially the same as described in detail in connection with Figs. 1to 3 inclusive.

In the arrangement shown in Fig. 4, the clip is effectively interlockedby a dovetail-like arrangement against vertical separation from the tieplate. Upward rocking movement of the inner or lip end of the clip aboutits outer end as a fulcrum is resisted by the shear action of the 15clip and tie plate on the spike or other similar part and by engagementof the innermost face portions designated 29 of the lug on oppositesides of the spike 28 with adjacent face portions 3!! of thelug-receiving opening in the plate. Such rocking movement of the clip isalso resisted by engagement of the face or wall 3! of the recess formedin the lug 2? with the adjacent face of the spike 23 which is heldagainst lateral inward movement relative to the plate by engagement ofits innermost face with the adjacent face of the opening in the platethrough which it extends.

An abutment 32 may be provided on the tie plate for engaging the outerend of the clip to cooperate with the lug and spike to prevent lateraloutward displacement of the clip.

In the arrangement shown in Fig. 5, the tie plate i0 is not providedwith a rail abutting shoulder such as indicated at El or l2 in Fig. 2,but the clip I9 is modified to provide a shoulder 33 which is adapted toengage the adjacent side edge of the base flange of the rail l8 toprevent sidewise displacement of the rail. The lip portion 2! of theclip is illustrated as being spaced upwardly from the base flange of therail to permit a normal wave motion thereof, but it may be arranged incontact with the base flange, substantially as illustrated in Fig. 4, toresist such wave motion. The angular relationship between the dependinglug 23 and the spike is illustrated as being smaller than thatcontemplated in Figs. 2 and 4, but it will be apparent that theoperative effect remains the same.

In Figs. 6 and '7, there is disclosed an arrangement in which the clipi9 is provided with a depending lug 23 which is substantially axiallyvertically disposed when the clip is in its operative position on thetie plate. In this instance, the clip is provided with a spike-receivingopening 25 which is also substantially axially vertically disposed andsaid opening extends downwardly through the lug 23 which is somewhatwider in the direction transversely of the rail than the correspondingdimension of the spike and considerably longer in the direction parallelwith the rail than the corresponding dimension of the spike. Asillustrated in Figs. 6 and '7, the spike 28 is received wholly withinthe area of the lug 23 The lug is of such depth that upward movement ofthe inner end of the clip about its outer end as a fulcrum will causecramping engagement of the lug with the inner and outer walls of the tieplate opening. Such cramping action effectively prevents the rail fromrocking the clip out of operative position. The spike assists the lug inholding the clip in place as an incident to its normal hold-down powerdue to its penetration of the railroad tie, but it also assists by, ineffect, providing a lengthened cramp-action zone. When the clip is urgedupwardly at its inner end, the inner face of the spike will be engagedby the adjacent top edge of the clip, outward movement of the clip underthe force of such engagement being stopped by engagement of the spikewith the outer face of the hole in the plate. The lower inner edge ofthe lug will, at the same time, engage the adjacent wall of the hole inthe plate.

Since the only forces normally applied against the clip are those whichare directed upwardly against the inner or lip end of the clip, it willbe seen that the described axially vertical lug and opening arrangementis effective to interlock the clip and tie plate to form an effectiveraiL-retaining arrangement. As indicated in Figs. 6 and 7, the tie plateH] may be provided with a shoulder or abutment 31 for engaging the outerend of the clip to cooperate with the lug and opening connection inresisting outward lateral movement of the clip relative to the tieplate.

In Figs. 8 and 9, there is illustrated an arrangement similar to thatshown in Figs. 1 to 3 inclusive, but wherein there is provided ayielding arrangement which serves to take up impacts on the lip end ofthe clip and thereby tends to pre vent shocks. In the arrangementillustrated, the opening portion 24 in the tie plate which receives theinclined lug 23 of the clip is made somewhat wider than the lug toprovide space, as indicated at 38, between the front or inner face ofthe lug and the inner inclined wall of the opening. The inner face ofthe lug is provided with a transversely extending recess or channel 39in which there is positioned a bowed spring plate 40. The ends of thespring plate are preferably seated in said recess 39 and theintermediate or inwardly bowed portion of the spring is adapted toengage the inner wall of the opening 26.

When the clip is provided with a lip which is spaced upwardly from therail base flange, the spring arrangement it serves mainly to take upimpacts or shocks incident to the engagement of the rail base flangewith said lip when excessive vertical or wave motion is caused to takeplace in the rail. In the event that the lip portion of the clipis madeto bear on the rail base flange in the manner illustrated in Fig. l, thespring element 50 would serve to yieldingly hold the clip in suchoperative relation and would resiliently resist upward movement or wavemotion of the rail relative to the tie plate.

In connection with the use of a spring arrangement such as illustratedin Figs. 8 and 9, an abutment 4i may be provided on the tie plate tofirmly engage the outer end of the clip when in its operative position,and such abutment may be of considerable height so as to afford a largearea of engagement with the clip end. A high shoulder is made possibleby the spring arrangement described, owing to the fact that when theclip is inserted with the spring positioned in its recess in the lug,the clip assumes a position substantially as indicated in broken lineswherein the outer end portion of the clip rests on the top of theabutment il, this relation being incident to the employment of theangularly disposed lug 23. A sharp blow on the outer end of the clipwill sufice to flex the spring plate All sufficiently to permit theclipto move inwardly past the shoulder ti and then downwardly into itsoperative position illustrated in full lines in Figs. 3 and 9.

In Figs. 11 and 12, there is shown another arrangement for providingspring resistance to vertical movement of the rail while retaining thesafety of the effective rail-retaining clip structure. The clip isanchored to the tie plate according to any of the describedarrangements. A flat spring element 42 of greater width than the widthof the clip, is interposed between the clip and the tie plate shoulder.Marginal outer end portions 43, 43 of the spring on both sides of theclip overlap the sides of the clip and an intermediate portion of theouter end of the clip, corresponding in width to that of the clip, isbent to conform to the surface of the plate shoulder on which it rests.The under side of the clip is suitably recessed to fit over the clipwithout raising the outer end portion thereof from the surface of theplate.

The spring 42 is effectively locked in place and will serve toyieldingly resist upward movement of the rail on which the spring maynormally bear or over which it may extend in slightly spaced relation ifpreferred. The extent of vertical movement of the rail is of courselimited by the rigid overlying lip portion of the clip.

The described arrangements are typical of various forms which theinvention may take and they are also typical of various commerciallypracticable forms. By commercially practicable forms, I particularlymean forms of construction which may be manufactured by substantiallyconventional rolling mill operations. Also, the necessary openings inthe plate may be punched in a single operation by conventional machineryemployed for the punching of tie plates of common construction.

Other changes in the described structure may be made without departingfrom the spirit of the invention, the scope of which should bedetermined by reference to the following claims, the same beingconstrued as broadly as possible consistent with the state of the art.

I claim:

1. In a rail fastening, the combination of a tie plate and a clip, theclip having an opening for the passage of a spike or the like throughthe clip and provided with a depending lug inclined to the vertical,said opening being so located and at such an angle to said lug as tocause said spike to engage the outer face of the lug and to cooperatetherewith to form a downwardly expanding structure depending from theclip bottom, and the plate having a single opening adapted to receivesaid downwardly expanding clip structure, the lug being adapted toengage the tie plate edge at one side of the opening therein and thespike the opposite edge, thereby to interlock the clip and plate againstvertical separation, and said clip having a lip on its inner end adaptedto overlie the base flange of a rail seated on the tie plate to retainthe rail in operative relation to the tie plate.

2. In a rail fastening, the combination of a tie plate and a clip, theclip having an opening for the passage of a spike or the like throughthe clip and provided with a depending lug inclined to the vertical,said opening being located so as to be at least partially within thearea of the lug and extending through the latter so as to form a recessin one side thereof for receiving a portion of said spike, and the platehaving a single opening extending therethrough for receiving saidinclined lug and the spike, said opening having its opposed wallportions substantially parallel to each other, one pair thereof beinginclined to substantially correspond to the inclination of the lug,whereby said opening is adapted to be punched in a single operation,said spike being adapted to engage the lower edge portion of the plateat the bottom of one of said inclined walls to thereby lock the clip inoperative position on the plate.

3. A tie plate for a rail fastening of the class described having asubstantially'T-shaped opening extending therethrough substantially asand for the purpose described, the top portion of the T-shaped openinghaving its top and bottom walls inclined to the vertical butsubstantially parallel to each other, the bottom wall of the stemportion of the T-shaped opening being substantially parallel to saidfirst-mentioned inclined walls, and the opposed side walls of saidopening being substantially vertically disposed, whereby said opening isadapted to be punched in a single operation.

4. In a rail fastening, the combination of a tie plate and a clip, theclip having a depending lug inclined to the vertical, and the platehaving an opening extending therethrough for receiving said inclinedlug, said opening being provided with an under-cut wall adapted tocooperate with said inclined lug to lock the clip against upwarddisplacement from the plate, an abutment on said plate for engaging theouter end of the clip when seated on the tie plate, and resilient meansinterposed between said under-cut wall and said inclined lug forresiliently maintaining the clip in normal seated position on the tieplate and facilitating assembly of the clip and plate.

5. In a rail fastening, the combination of a tie plate having a railseat and an opening on one side of the rail seat, the opening beinginclined downwardly and inwardly toward the rail seat, a clip having adepending lug received in said opening and inclined downwardly andinwardly toward the rail seat, resilient means interposed between theinner side of said lug and the adjacent wall of said opening forresiliently v maintaining the clip in normally seated position on thetie plate while permitting limited movement of the clip incident tonormal rail-wave motion, and means for securing the clip to the plate soas to maintain said lug in the opening.

6. In a rail fastening, the combination of a tie plate having a railseat and an opening on one side of the seat, the opening being inclineddownwardly and inwardly toward the seat, a clip having a depending lugreceived in the opening and inclined downwardly and inwardly toward therail seat, a spring interposed between the inner side of said lug andthe adjacent wall of said opening for resiliently maintaining the clipin normal seated position on the plate while permitting limited movementof the clip incident to normal rail-wave motion, said lug having arecess for receiving and positioning said spring thereon to maintain thesame in operative position when the parts are assembled and tofacilitate assembly thereof, and means for securing the clip to theplate so as to maintain said lug in the opening.

7. In a rail fastening, the combination of a tie plate and a clipanchored to the tie plate,

(ill

the latter having a rail abutting shoulder over which the clip extends,and a spring element having a portion of one end intermediate its widthoverlying said shoulder and bent downwardly over the outer side thereofand marginal portions on opposite sides of said intermediate portionembracing said clip, the latter overlying said intermediate springportion and shoulder.

8. In a rail fastening, the combination of a tie plate and a clip, thetie plate having an opening and the clip being provided with a dependinglug adapted to enter said opening, said opening and lug being so shapedas to permit insertion of the lug into the opening by a single movementin a direction extending both transversely and in the direction of thenormal plane of the plate, whereby a portion of the plate will overlie aportion of the lug to prevent vertical displacement of the clip from theplate, said opening and lug also being of such interfitting size thatthe clip is thereby positioned on the plate substantially in operativeposition relative thereto, and a spike extending through alignedopenings in the clip and tie plate and through a part of said lug, theside of the spike remote from the lug being in abutting relation to thetie plate, said spike serving to lock the clip in said operativeposition on the plate.

9. In a rail fastening, the combination of a tie plate and a clip, thetie plate having an opening and the clip being provided with adepending, substantially straight lug adapted to enter said opening,said opening and lug being angularly arranged relative to the normalplane of the plate and the lug being insertable into said opening by asingle movement in a direction extending both transversely and in thedirection of the normal plane of the plate, whereby a portion of theplate will overlie a portion of the lug to prevent vertical displacementof the clip from the plate, said opening and lug also being of suchinterfitting size that the clip is thereby posi tioned on the platesubstantially in operative position relative thereto, and a spikeextending through aligned openings in the clip and tie plate and throughpart of the lug, one side of the spike being in abutting relation to thelug and the opposite side in abutting relation to the tie plate, saidspike serving to lock the clip in said operative position on the plate.

10. In a rail fastening, the combination of a tie plate and a clip, thetie plate having a transversely extending, upwardly projectingrail-abutting shoulder forming a zone of increased thickness andstrength, said plate having an opening located at least partially insaid thickened zone, and the clip being provided with a substantiallystraight, depending lug adapted to enter said opening, said opening andlug being angularly arranged relative to the normal plane of the plateso that a portion of the plate in said zone of increased thicknessoverlies said lug to prevent vertical displacement of the clip from theplate, said opening and lug being of such interfitting size that theclip is thereby positioned on the plate substantially in operativeposition rela tive thereto, and a removable spike extending throughaligned openings in the clip and tie plate and through part of said lug,one side of the spike being in abutting relation to the lug and theopposite side in abutting relation to the tie plate, said spike servingto lock the clip in said operative position on the plate, the cliphaving an end portion adapted to overlie a portion of the base flange ofa rail seated on the tie plate.

11. In a rail fastening, the combination of a tie plate and a clip, thetie plate having an opening and the clip being provided with a dependinglug adapted to enter said opening, said opening and lug being angularlyarranged so that a portion of the plate overlies said lug, said lughaving an outwardly facing surface adapted to engage an inwardly facingsurface of the tie plate at the outer end of said opening so as toresist outwardly directed thrusts on the clip, and a fastening deviceinterposed between oppositely facing, juxtaposed portions of the clipand the tie plate and insertable and removable by movement at an angleto the direction of said lug for preventing such lateral movement of theclip as is required for withdrawal of the lug from said opening.

12. In a rail fastening, the combination of a tie plate and a rigidclip, the tie plate having a rail seat and an opening extendingtherethrough outwardly of said rail seat, said clip having a bodyportion and a pair of vertically spaced projections, the clip having asurface portion intermediate said projections adapted to engage a plateportion inwardly of said opening to thereby predetermine the lateralposition of the clip relative to the plate, the uppermost of saidprojectiens engaging the top of the plate and extending over theadjacent marginal portion of the rail seat for overlying the base flangeof a rail seated on the plate, and the lowermost of said projectionsbeing such as to underlie a portion of the plate adjacent said openingtherein and outwardly of said rail seat, whereby the clip is definitelypositioned both vertically and laterally relative to the tie plate, theopening in said plate being of such size as to permit a spike to bedriven through said opening into an underlying tie and such that theinner and outer face portions of the spike will respectively engage saidclip and the tie plate to lock the clip against outward lateraldisplacement.

13. In a rail fastening, a combination of a tie plate having a rail seatand an opening spaced outwardly from the seat, a spike for securing thetie plate to a tie, and a clip having a substantially vertical Wallengaged by said spike and provided with a depending lug of greater widththan the corresponding dimension of the spike, the lug extending intosaid opening with one side thereof facing the rail seat and in abuttingrelation to the corresponding side of said opening, the opposite side ofthe lug being formed with a substantially vertical slot, a portion ofthe spike extending through said slot and fitting closely therein, saidopening receiving said lug and spike to lock the clip to the plate, theopening being of such size that the lug fits closely therein, wherebythe clip is adapted to be operatively positioned on the plate by saidinterfitting relationship, and the clip having a lip on its inner endadapted to overlie the base flange of a rail on said seat.

14. In a rail fastening, the combination of a. tie plate and a clip, theclip having an opening for the passage of a spike or the liketherethrough and provided with a depending lug inclined to the vertical,said opening being located so as to be only partially within the area ofthe lug and extending through the latter so as to form a recess in oneside thereof for receiving a portion of the spike, the plate having asingle opening therein for receiving the lug and spike and the plateopening having its opposite wall portions substantially parallel to eachother, one pair thereof being inclined to correspond substantially tothe inclination of the lug, whereby said opening is adapted to bepunched in a single operation, the outer face of the spike being insubstantially abutting relation to the corresponding side of saidopening in the plate.

15. In a rail fastening, the combination of a tie plate and a clipanchored to the tie plate, the clip having a lip adapted to overlie thebase flange of a rail seated on the tie plate, and a spring elementhaving a portion near one end overlying the tie plate outwardly of saidseat and having marginal portions on opposite sides of the clipembracing the clip, the clip overlying said first portion of the springand clamping the same to the tie plate.

WILLIAM S. BOYCE.

